Wednesday, May 25, 2011

On May 17, 2011, Karl Kim, Ph.D., Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaii and Director of the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) and Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, LEED AP, made a joint paper presentation titled: "Rethinking Resilience: Pacific Island Perspectives on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction." This presentation was part of a two-day international workshop on "Earthquakes and Hurricanes Response and Preparedness" organized by the International Scientific Committee on Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH). Kim and Sakamoto were impressed by Cuba's own disaster preparedness as well as the preservation of old Havana's historic urban fabric, and of course, its fine cigars and rum.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Inside the Program in Judaic Studies - Spring 2011 newsletter, an article titled "Major Renovations to Library's Judaica Reading Room" features DSA's recently completed project in Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library. In this story, Nanette Stahl, Judaica Collection Curator states: "In his careful attention to detail, Mr. Sakamoto used the grates that cover the air-conditioning and heating units as a means of beautifying the room. The grates are designed to echo the seven species for within in rabbinic tradition the land of Israel is known." For more images of the project, check out our website!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

DSA is hoping to use the linear pavers depicted in the video above for the final stretch of the Farmington Canal Greenway that it is currently designing. Test subject Kai Sakamoto demonstrates that the paver can provide a comfortable riding surface for a standard wide-tire bike.

Although this choice of material is a big improvement over the steel grating that was originally considered for the riding surface, there is still a question of whether the grooves between the pavers might make cycling with thin racing bike tires difficult.

Cyclists, let us know what you think.

Note: those wishing to try out the paver for themselves should visit Kroon Hall at 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Yamasaki Associates designed Lambert-St. Louis International Airport took a direct hit from the tornado last Friday. Remarkably, both the terminal and the architect's legacy remains intact! Yamasaki (1912-1986), a self-made nisei born in Seattle, was one of America's top architects at mid-century and was also the designer of the ill-fated World Trade Center in New York City. He was shunned by critics as an architectural "decorator" and remains nearly forgotten today. However, the resilience of his Lambert Airport design proves otherwise. Yama's Michigan Medical Group Building in Lansing, MI (b. 1961) is pictured below. What do you think?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dean Sakamoto, traveled to the Le Corbusier planned city of Chandigarh in Northern India. In addition to touring the Capitol complex (pictured) and Chandigarh’s public spaces, he gave a talk on tropical architecture at the Chandigarh College of Architecture. Now almost 60 years since its completion, Corb’s city of the future is functioning beautifully in the present day. A faculty collaboration grant from Yale University’s South Asian Studies Council funded Dean’s visit.

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About DSA

Dean Sakamoto Architects LLC (DSA) was founded in 1999 to provide high-quality architectural design for clients in the Northeast U.S. and Pacific Region. With a special focus on fine design, sustainability, civic engagement, and collaborative, personal service, DSA’s experience includes designs for institutional, residential, urban and transportation projects in temperate and tropical environments. Whether designing large structures, civic projects, intimate residences, retail spaces, or scholarly exhibitions relating to architectural history and cutting-edge design practices, DSA’s expertise and hands-on approach reflect a design philosophy based on the wisdom of simplicity.